Dibrugarh: Search and rescue operations continued in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Thursday, with the Indian Air Force (IAF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and district authorities intensifying efforts to trace four people who remain missing after flash floods devastated parts of the district.
Rescue teams are searching for Elesh Marak, Baleria Marak, Tao Angina and Sourav Kumar. The body of Nirmal Gupta, another victim of the disaster, was recovered on Wednesday evening.
The flash flood struck the NEEPCO Colony area at Poosa on Wednesday morning following heavy rainfall, damaging houses, severing road connectivity and triggering landslides across several locations.
Authorities are simultaneously working to restore access by clearing roads blocked by debris, sludge and boulders. The IAF has also been deployed to support ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit region.
Meanwhile, the administration in Sagalee subdivision is assessing damage caused by incessant rainfall. Sagalee Additional Deputy Commissioner Kipa Raja held discussions with officials of the Power Department regarding disruptions in electricity supply following damage to transmission lines in the Toru Circle area.
According to the department, several power lines along the old transmission route were damaged due to heavy rain, affecting power supply in the area.
Raja said restoration work is underway and appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities while efforts are made to restore normal electricity services at the earliest.
Heavy rains have also caused a section of the Manmao–Changlang Highway to collapse between Old Jukhi and New Jukhi in Changlang district, further disrupting connectivity in the state.
Amid the disaster, a government officer’s efforts in rescue operations have drawn appreciation from local residents.
Chukhu Paije, Block Education Officer (Academic) of Keyi Panyor district, was travelling to Itanagar when a cloudburst severely damaged the road between Yazali and Hoj, forcing him to halt his journey.
Instead of waiting for the road to reopen, Paije joined ongoing rescue efforts in the affected area, assisting authorities and volunteers in searching for missing persons and recovering victims.
Paije said he has been involved in relief and rescue operations for the past two days and will continue to assist affected families and stranded residents until normalcy is restored.
Expressing concern over the disaster, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said he was “deeply distressed” by the flash flood incident in Poosa.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and the families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones,” Khandu said.
The Chief Minister said all concerned agencies, including the district administration, NEEPCO, SDRF, police and medical teams, had been mobilised for rescue and relief operations.
State cabinet minister Mama Natung also urged residents and travellers to avoid several flood- and landslide-affected routes, including the Sagalee-Hoj road, Pitapool-Toru road, Pitapool-Hoj road and the Kimin Bypass, until connectivity is restored.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The minister urged residents and travellers, particularly those travelling from East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, West Kameng and Tawang districts, to avoid flood- and landslide-affected routes until normal connectivity is restored.
The legislator said restoration and clearance works are being carried out on a war footing and that the Yazali Inspection Bungalow has been activated as a temporary relief shelter for those requiring assistance.
Also Read | Kuki-Zo Council alleges selective security actions amid ongoing violence in Manipur